The ‘Choshu Five’ were members of the Choshu clan in western Japan who secretly left the country during the turbulent times toward the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate. These five departed from Yokohama in May 1863 and arrived in the UK that November. This year, 2013, thus marks the 150th anniversary of their journey. Read more about the 'Choshu Five'.

Various events have been arranged in both the UK and Japan to commemorate this anniversary and we will be regularly updating this page with more information about the 'Choshu Five' and related events.